Blog / Upcoming IONIQ 6 Keeps Hyundai Ahead of the Design Curve

Upcoming IONIQ 6 Keeps Hyundai Ahead of the Design Curve

Hyundai designers have plenty of tricks up their sleeves, as we saw with the latest-generation Elantra and Tucson, then the all-new Santa Cruz pickup and IONIQ 5 electric crossover. Now, the company is making a bold move into yet another design direction with the IONIQ 6, an electric four-door coupe.

The first official pictures are out, but the global premiere will take place on July 14. Based on the stunning Prophecy concept from 2020, this car will definitely turn heads when it lands on Canadian roads next year.

“The IONIQ 6 connects an emotional convergence of functionality with aesthetics,” said SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai Design Center. “The distinctive streamlined design is the result of close cooperation between engineers and designers, with obsessive attention to detail and customer-centric values at the core. We have created the IONIQ 6 as a mindful cocoon that offers personalized place for all.”

Similar to the IONIQ 5, there’s a unique combination of retro and futuristic design cues. The IONIQ 6, which Hyundai describes as an “Electrified Streamliner,” is aerodynamically shaped as an embodiment of “Emotional Efficiency.”

The car has an ultra-low drag coefficient of just 0.21 (bested only by the Mercedes-Benz EQS), resulting from its low nose, active air flaps at the front, wheel gap reducers and optional slim digital side mirrors (available in select markets, likely not in Canada). Further aiding its enviable aerodynamic aptitude is an elliptical, wing-inspired spoiler with winglet, slight boat-tail structure and separation traps on both sides of the rear bumper. The entire underbody is covered, too.

What’s more, there are over 700 “Parametric Pixels” in various places, such as the headlamps, rear combination lamps, front lower sensors, air vent garnishes and centre console indicator, to reinforce the IONIQ brand’s identity throughout the vehicle. The flower-inspired wheel design also adds a striking touch to the side profile.

Hyundai’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) enabled designers to stretch the interior, front and rear, to create optimized legroom and spaciousness that lets passengers stay comfortable in the vehicle. While these first few pictures don’t show it, the platform also allows for a completely flat floor.

The modular dashboard integrates a 12-inch centre touchscreen and 12-inch digital instrument cluster. A bridge-type centre console provides convenient and generous storage. Ambient lighting provides overall illumination for the IONIQ 6 interior—users can choose from a spectrum of 64 colours and six two-tone themes. Elsewhere, the four-dot Interactive Pixel Lights on the steering wheel are said to enable easy communication between the driver and vehicle.

One last thing we want to highlight for now is the use of sustainable materials including bamboo charcoal pigment paint for the body and recycled pigment paint from end-of-life tires for the cladding. Inside, depending on the trim level, you’ll find eco-process leather (seats), recycled PET fabric (seats), bio TPO skin (dashboard), bio PET fabric (headliner), bio paint derived from vegetable oils (doors) and recycled fishing net carpets.

The Hyundai IONIQ 6 is expected to make its North American debut in November at the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show. Don’t miss it!